Suction cleaner



Jan. 7, 1936. H. B. WHITE ET AL SUCTION CLEANER Filed July 31, 1931 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORG.

ATTO RN EY Jan. 7, 1936. H w 2,026,808

SUCTION CLEANER Filed July 31, 1931 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 "mink A vii ATTORNEY Jan. 7, 1936. H.'B. WHITE Er AL SUCTION CLEANER Filed July 51, 1931 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 ATTORNEY Jan. 7, 1936 H B wH TE AL 2,026,808

SUCT ION CLEANER Filed July 31, 1951 5 Sheets-Shea. 4

llllllllllll ""j /IIIIIIIIII I III ATTORNEY INVENTORS.

v 30 W load of the agitating an i Jan. 7, 193's to a suction-producing means current of air through and over the carpet or PATENT; orrica SUCTION CLEANER Harry B. White. Canton, Ohio, Becker, York, Pa., assignors Company, North CantomOhio,

Ohio

and Bernard 0. to The Hoover acorporation o! Application July :1, 1931, Serial, No. 554,210

11 Claims. (of -8) This invention relates to power-transmitting devices particularly applicable to suction cleaners of the type e a carpet-agitating or beating device to dislodge the dirt, in addition for effecting a other surtace covering undergoing cleaning. While j thejnvention may be" utilized in other.

structures, where similar operation is desired, it

presents particular advantages when used to control the operation of a suction cleaner of this type, andis illustrated and described herein as. embodi in various forms adapted-to transmit power f,r m the shaft upon which ,the fan is mounted to an agitator in sucha cleaner. I

In operation, the agitating device of a suction cleaner sometimes becomes overloaded or stalled by reason of the carpet, threads or other' ,objects becoming caught between the. agitator andthe body of the cleaner particularly if the agitator isjof the rotary type. If a wormdrive, or other positive drive is used, overheating'andbreakage "andadjacent parts and cause breaking'or weakbreakage oi the parts iokiieaner. A further .of the parts are apt to result, while, when a belt drive is used, the slipping oi the belt usually saves but soon results in excessive overheating which may injure the pulleys ening oi. the belt. At the same time, the starting torqueot theifan 'of a suction" cleaner is very great, and to it, at starting,

device, and provision must ;be made to transmit a certainminimum of power fo'rstarting. I One of the-objects of the invention is to provide a suction cleaner of this type in which the parts will be protected from injury in the event of'overload-or stalling of theagitating device and rmitting continued operation of the fan, so that. he cleaner will act stalling oi the agitating device, the drive thereto will be disconnected automatically and will be held from reestablishmentaso long as the driving ment oiparts. Still another firom the following descrifit ionoffivarious embodiments oi the accompanying drawings. in which:

' of a suction cleaner,

; the parts shown in b'ut'ori a-smaller scale on the line 8-4 of Fig. 4.

Y Figs.'1 and8 are 'the line 9-9 of Fig. 4;

is-added the starting v on line ll-ll ofFig. l0, and similar to Fig.2, oi

the

as'a straight air suction; ject is to provide such a.

ae-nee in which, upon excessive load upon or struc to Fig. 3 showin invention illustrated in the ntary view in side elevation with "parts broken away to show more clearly'the agitating device and the power transmitting means for operating it.

Fig.2 isan enlarged fragmentary view, in ver-- 5 tical transverse section, of the driving pulley and its operating means, taken on the line 2-2 ,0! Fig.2. N

Fig. 3 is Fig. 1 is a i'ragi'n an enlarged view in side elevation of Fig. 2, the casing or housing 1 being shown in section, on line 3-3 of Fig. 2 and the elements or the clutch being shownjin driving position.

Fig. 4 is a view in-elevation similar to-Fig. 3

and showing the parts as operated to non-driving position. Fig. 5 is a view in horizontal cross section taken on the line 5-5- of Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a view in horizontal cross section taken views in perspective showing indetail various elements of the structure shown indilgaltofi.

Fig. .9 is a view in horizontal cross section on 'Fig. 10 is an enlarged view inelevation similar to Fig. 3 but showing a modified form of clutch structure.

Fig.11 is an enlarged view in vertical section,

the'parts shown in Fig. 10. I t Fig. 12 is a view in horizontal-section taken on the line i2-l2 of Fig. 10. r

Fig. 13 is a view in'horiaontalsectiontaken on line l3 i3 of Fig. 10. Fig. 14 is a view in elevation, on a reduced scale, showing the clutch elements of the structure shown in Figs. 10 to 13 in non-driving position.

A188. 15 and 16 are views in perspective, on a red ed scale, of various elements of the clutch shown in Figs. 10 to 13.

Fig. 17 is a, view in horizontal on the lineil-l'l of Fig. 1 t. p s Fig. lBisan enlarged view in vertical section, similar to Fig; 2, and showing .a third modifica- 45 tion r clutch sometime.

section taken L. Fig. 19 is an enlarged view in. elevation similar the driving elements of the. clutchin driving relationship. f c Fig. 20 isa view iii-horizontal section of the structure shown in Fig. ,18 taken on the 'line 2ll20 oi'Fis. 1,8. v Fig. 21 is a view in horizontal'section, taken on theline 2i-2l o1 18.

Fig. 22 is a view in side. elevation,

onareduced 5 structure shown 1m Fi 26.

sreizleisof one of the clutch elements shown in Figs. 23 and 25 are views inperspective, on a reduced scale, of members of the clutch shown in Fig. 18.

Fig. '24 isa view in side elevation, on a reduced scale, of the driven member of the clutch and pulley shown in Fig. 18.

Fig. 26 is a view in side elevation, on an enlargedscale, similar to Fig. 3 showing a fourth modification of clutch structure.

Fig.2? is a view in vertical section, onan enlarged scale, similar t6 Fig. 2, taken on the line 2'|-2| of Fig. 26. I

I Figs. 28 and 29 are views in horizontal section taken on-the line 28-28 of Fig. 26, showing the position of the clutch parts when in driving relationship and non-driving relationship, respectively.

Fig. 30 is a view in side elevation on a reduced scale, similar to Fig. 26, but, showing the parts rotated 90 degrees. I

Figs. 31, 32, and 33 are views in perspective, ,on a reduced scale, of various elements of the clutch Fig. 34 is a view in side elevation, on a reduced scale, of the driven clutch memberand-pulley shown in Fig. 26..

Fig; 35 is a view invertical section, on an enlarged'scale, similar to Fig. 2, on line 35-35 of Fig 36, showing a fifth modification of clutch "structure. v

Figs. 36 and 37 are views in horizontal section, taken on the line 36-46 of Fig; 35, and

5 showing the clutch elements in driving and nondriving relationship, respectively.

Fig. 38 is a view in side elevation, on a reduced scale, showing the clutch parts of Fig. 35 as ro-' tated 90 degrees. r

Figs. 39 and 40 are views in perspective, on a reduced scale, of elements of the clutch structure shown in Fig. 35; and a.

Fig. i1 is a view in side elevation showing, on a reduced scale, the driven clutch member and pulley shown in Fig. 35. v As shown in Fig. 1, the resent invention is embodied in an overload-release clutch'mechanism to transmit power toa' driving pulley which, in turn, operates an agitating means. In all of the modifications shown, the clutch mechanism is interposed between the motor shaft upon which a fan is mounted and the driving pulley, but it will be apparent that any suitable power transmitting means may be substituted for the pulley .belt drive shown. e As shown in Fig. 1, a main suction cleaner casing ll carries a motor l2, having a vertical shaft l3, the casing having a fan chamber l4 therein connected to a nozzle opening I5, in which there is mounted a rotary member 16 which is adapted to agitate the carpet or surface covering being cleaned. The rotary agitator is, provided with a driven pulley l'l connected by belt iB with a driv- 5 ing pulley i9, mounted on the lower endof the motor shaft. A- suction producing fan 2|! is mounted upon the motor shaft above the pulley" l9, discharging rearwardly into a dust filtering bag 2!, and the cleaner as a whole is mounted upon supporting wheels 22 and provided with a a bail 23 and a handle 24 by which it may be di- =rectedover the surface undergoing cleaning, it being understood that the nozzle opening I5 is elevated above the plane determined by the sup- 7 porting wheels and that the carpet is drawn up torque of the fan is comparatively high, decreasing as the fan approaches operating speed, but varying somewhat with the volume of air 10 handled, which in turn is determined by the effective seal of the carpet against the suction mouth. While an agitator such as that shown in Fig. 1 has an appreciable starting load, it is much less than the operating load effected by its engagement with the carpet when the carpet has been drawn up against the suction mouth. If a belt driveis used and the agitating means hecomes stalled, or itsv operation is, seriously impeded,- the belt slips upon the smaller pulley, whieh is usually the driving pulley, overheating the parts andseriously injuring or destroying the belt. In accordance with the present invention, an overload releaseclutch structure is provided, between the shaft upon which the fan is mounted and the agitator, which is sufficiently compact as to be interchangeablewith the pulley structure normally used, which will permit operation of the fan while the parts are in their disengaged condition without overheating, which will normally transmit ample power for driving the agitator, and which upon disengagement will a have the parts thereof positively held in disengaged position, thus obviating noise and wear I of the parts which would result if the parts could move gradually towards engaged position.

. In the modified form shown in Figs. l'to 9, the body member-'28 of the driving part of the clutch is provided with a central portion 21 which is threaded upon the lower threaded end 28 of '40 the motor shaft i3 and acts as a nut to secure the fan 20 to the shaft. The lower end of the .portion 27 is reduced to form a shoulder 29, and upon, this reduced end a pulley 30 is rotatably mounted upon pin roller bearings3i, a thrust ring- 32 engaging the upper end of the bearing members 3! and the shoulder 29. Ihe lower face of the pulley is preferably recessed at 33, and a screw 34 is threaded into the end of the portion 21 and provided with a wear disc 35 and washer 36, to hold the pulley 39 'rotatably mounted upon the portion 21. The recess 33 is preferably closed by a disc 31 pressed therein, and the upper end of the pulley'is preferably provided with an annularchannel 38 to receive a dust excluding ring 39 of felt or similar material. The upper face of the pulley 30 is cut away, as shown atJO in Figs. 3, 4, and 9, to form an inclined and slightly rounded abutment or cam lL which extends at a slight angle to the radius, and is adapted to receive the driving thrust by which the pulley is rotated.

The driving part of the clutch comprises a plate 42, securedto a laterally extending pivot pin 43 which is rotatably mounted in the member 21, the plate 42 being provided with a downwardly extending finger 44 normally in driving engagement withthe abutment but movable to a position above the top of the pulley, as shown 70 in Fig. 4. As shown in Figs. 2 and '7, pin is preferably provided with an integral thrust collar or flange 45,.andit and the plate 42 are provided with inter-engaging parts 'to prevent relativerotation when they have been riveted goaaaoa the body member 58' and the casing 8 1 to receive I together. A coil spring '4! surrounds'thepin 43, engaging at one end with a projection on the pin 43 and at the other end 'in' a-notch in the body member fl to rotate the plate member 42 toward driving position, in which position the upper end. of the plate member 42 engages a suitable stop 41 on the body membody member 21, as shown in Fig. 6, through which and is engaged. The latch member 48 has an arm II extending over the plate member 42, and normally eng ging frictionally against the end i of the plate member '42, with a pressurede- .tion, since there pendent upon'the speed of rotation, and normally assisting in holding the plate member 42 Si is provided plate member 42 and holdsit out of driving position as shown in Fig. 4, when the plate member 42 has been forced to such position. Since the center of mass'of' the plate member 42, when in driving position, is'at one side of the pin 43,

it will be apparent that the centrifugal action" tends to hold'the plate 42 in driving position.

Consequently, when the ficiently to cam the finger 44 out of the path of pulley is retarded sufabutment 4| sufficient force must have been exerted to overcome the action of-the spring 46,, the centrifugal action upon the plate member 42 1 until it reaches'center position and the very considerable friction exerted by the arm I upon the end of the member 42. After plate member 42 reaches central position, the centrifugal action will assistin forcing it toward non-driving position.. After the drive has been interrupted, .and the parts are in the position in Fig. 4, if the motonis stopped, the spring 48 will swing ,the plate member 42 to driving posiis nolonger any; opposition to the movement of the plate member 42 and the latch 48 by reason of centrifugal action. Such movement will not occur, however, until the speed of rotation is practically zero, and chattering 'or ratcheting of the finger 44 upon the. abutment 4| as it approaches drivin p sition is avoided.

The clutch parts are preferably shielded from dust and moisture by a tubular casing 52, web

erably of light metal, shaped to surround the i upper end of the pulley so as to be engaged by the felt strip 8!, and having its upper end crimped into place upon the upper circular portion of the body member 21 as shown at 54. An opening is preferably provided through the casin member 52 and extending into the body portion 21, to receive, a spanner wrench or other tool by which the clutch and pulley assembly, as a unit, may be conveniently mo mted upon the threaded end of the motorshaft.

. In the modified structure shown in Figs. to 1'], a clutch body I, threaded upon the lower. end of motor bearing structure indicated generally at ",the policy being held in place by a screw 60, preferably located in a recess in the lower face of the pulley which is closed by a friction disc ii, a ring "of feltxor similar material and a tubular casing 62 crimped in place upon member ",Q be'lngprovided to exclude and an opening. being formed the body member 21 a pivot pin 50,

. duced portion 16.

shaft it, has a reduced lower end 51 upon which a pulley i8 is rotatably mounted by a ball a spanner wrench or similar tool. In this modification rounded abutments' 65 project upwardly from the upper face of the'pulley BI and extend radially, being engaged and driven by a a .finger 66,- on a plate member 1 which is pivotalin the body member 56, and is provided with a V laterally extending finger I! normally engaging against the end of the plate member 81, and adapted to engage in a notch I4 in the end thereof, as shown in Fig. 14, when the platejim h'ir ber 61 has been forced upwardly out of dr ving-.20 position.

.In general the operation of this modified struc- 1 ture will be like that of the structure shown in Figs. 2 to 9, the plate member 61 being held in.

driving position by reason of the action of the spring 69 and the frictional engagement of the finger I3 against theend of the member 61 resulting from the centrifugal action upon the lever 'Il. When the plate member 61 has-been forced upwardly by reason of an overload uponthe so pulley it will be held in disengaged position by engagement of the finger I! in the notch 14, and the lower end 51 of the body member 58 can rotate freely within the pulley -58, by reasonof the anti-friction bearing mounting. When :5 the motor is stopped and the body member 56 is brought substantially to rest-the spring 89 will force plate member 61 to'driving position, the edge of the notch 14 acting as a cam engaging the finger 1.3to rotate lever ll back to the position shown in Fig. l3.

In the modification shown in Figs. l8to 25, a clutch body member I5 is utilized which is of simple construction, having an enlarged head which is threaded upon the motor shaft 53, and a reduced lower end I6, upon which pulley I! is rotatabiy mounted, a bushing of graphiteembedded, anti-friction composition being provided between the parts to avoid unusual heating if the motor is continued in operation'when the ber 19 and a latch member 80 are mounted, respectively, upon studs II and ".which are preferably identical, riveted in. place in the upper enlarged portion of the body member 15 and extending parallel to the axis of the lower re- As shown'in Fig. 25, the driving member I! may be formed as a sheet-metal m stamping comprising laterally spaced arcuate plates between which a roller 83 is pivotally mounted, and a counterweight i4 is riveted or spot welded, or otherwise secured to one side member, the side members having openings 05 55 4 so that the element as a whole can be pivotally mountedv upon the stud ll, with a helical spring O6 surrounding the stud and havingone end in engagement with the member "and the other end engaging the main body member ,IS, so as 7 normally to force the roller ti inwardly into the pathof the cam or abutment "ll.

As shown in Fig. 23, the latch member ll, which also may be conveniently formed as a sheet metal stamri mhas along arm whichisg;

' curved and lies between the planes of the-side members of the driving member I9, tabs 8Q being bent in from its edges and perforated. to facilitate mounting-upon stud 82, and its shorter end being bent inwardly and then outwardly as shown at 89, in-Figs'. 20, 21, and 23,1to engage frictionally against the end of member I9 in normal driving position, and to act as a pawl or the body member upon which it is mounted is preferably provided with oil grooves 03 communieating with an oil port 94 extending to a central reservoir, 95, which is closed by the screw 96, by which the pulley is held in assembled relation. A dust-excluding packing ring 91, located in a groove in the pulley, and. a tubular casing 90, crimped at its upper end to the body member I5, are preferably provided as in the other modifications.

It will be apparent that this embodiment of the invention can beeconomically manufactured and. that its operation will be substantially like i that of the structures shown in Figs. 2 to 17,

the provision of the roller 03 materially lesseningthe chances of variation in operation which might otherwise result from wear of the engaging surfaces of the driving member and the abutment on the pulley upon repeated operation.

In the modification shown in Figs. 26 to 34 a clutch body member 991s threaded upon the lower end of the motor shaft I3 and has a reduced lower endrotatably supporting the. pulley I00 upon an anti-friction bushing IN, the upper part of the pulley being provided with a radially extending abutment I02, and the clutch mechanism being protected from dust by a packing ring I03 and a tubular casing I04, which is crimped in place about the upper end of the body member. A driving member I05 and a weighted latching lever I06 are pivotally mounted upon studs I01 and I08, respectively, which are riveted to the upper portion of the body member. 90 and extend parallel to'its axis, the free end of the driving-member and the latching lever being connected by a link I00, so that, as shown in Fig. 28, the centrifugal action transmitted from the lever through the, link to the driving member will normally tend to hold it in driving relationship. When the driving member I0! has been forced out of driving relationship, as shown in Fig. 29, the latching lever I08, through the link I00 .will hold the driving member out of driving position, the connection of the parts being such as to provide an over-center, toggle action. 'A spring IIO surrounds the stud I08, one

- end engaging the driving member I05 and the other end engaging the casing I04 and normally tending to move the driving member I05 toward "driving position, a screw III preferably being used tohold the spring and the driving member in place upon the stud I 08. As shown in Fig. 33

' thedriving member may conveniently be formed of a'stamping of sheet metal having its sides bent to parallel relationship at right angles to of the toggle action between the parts will be to prevent the possibility of their occupying any intermediaite position for any great length of time.

. the centrifugal action upon the levers I00 acting to throw the driving member I 05 either to" one side or the other of its center sition. Llhe parts can be economically man actured and is readily assembled, and the driving member will be positively held out of driving position by the centrifugal action upon the latch lever I06, until the rotation of the body member 90 has substantially ceased, and such centrifugal action can 10 no longer overcome the action of the spring I III.

The modification shown-in Figs. 35 to .41 comprises a clutch body member ,I I2, having an axially extending reduced portion upon. which a pulley H3 is mounted for rotation, upon an ini5 terposed bushing Ill of anti-friction composition, and with an oil reservoir therein for sup-' plying lubricant, dust being excluded by the packing ring I I5 and a tubular casing II 6 crimped about the upper end of the body portion I I2. The 20 driving'member II I and the latching lever IIB are pivotally mounted upon studs H9 and I20 respectively, which are riveted through the upper end of the body portion H2 and extend parallel to the axis, the pulley II3 having a laterally ex- 25 tending abutment I2I adjacent its upper end. As shown in Fig. 39 the driving member I" may conveniently be formed as a sheet metal stamping having parallel side members between which a helical spring I22 may be positioned, about the 30 stud I20, to engage'the driving member and the casing II8 at its respective ends and force the driving member towards driving position; One of the side members of the driving member III is bent upwardly as shown at I23, to project into 35 the path of the latchingv lever II8. When the parts are, in normal driving relationship, as shown in Fig. 36, the end of the latching lever II8 en-- gages the end of the driving member I" and frictionally opposes any movement thereof. A notch I24 is provided in the latching lever II8 adjacent its end to receive the finger I23 and .hold the driving member out of driving relationship as shown in Fig. 37; The operation of 'the structure will be similar to that of the other.

modifications described, and it will be apparent that the parts are of simple constru'c on and may be manufactured economically and with great accuracy.

In all of the modifications shown and de- 50 scribed, not only will danger. of breakage .orinjury to the parts be avoided .by the automatic release of the clutch, but the drive will be automatically reestablished when the motor is deenergized and before thedriving shaft comes to 55 rest. The clutch parts will not gradually approach driving position, in which case there would be a ratcheting of the parts which would rapidly wear down the engaging surfaces and thus alter the load at which the clutch would re- 00 lease, but. are quickly disengaged onengaged, the

' driving member moving to or from its driving position in a manner similar to- .the movement of the contact member of a double snap electric switch. While the stopping of the agitating 5 neans and the change in speed of the motor furnish sufiicient audible warning that the motor should be stopped'and the obstruction removed, the provision of anti-friction bearings between the pulley and its mounting permit long mm 7 tinned operation of the motor and functioning-of the device as astraight air suction cleaner while the agitating device is stalled without injurious heating.

It will be understoodthat in-all of the modition out of engagement with said driven memflcations the body' part of the clutch is adapted to be detachably secured to a shaft terminal and that the pulley, ,or' other power transmitting member, is carried'by suchbody member, so that allof such parts constitute a single assembly and can be handled as a unit. While the fan could be secured to the shaft by other means, it is preferable that, as shown, the body member of the clutch beused as a nut to secure the fan in place. v, I t

-It will also be apparent that many changes may be made in arrangement of the parts and the drive from the motor shaft to the agitatin device, so long as the clutch is located between ,the fan and the agitating device, and that numerous other changes maybe made in. similar details of construction within the scope of the invention'disclosed in the embodiments thereof shown and described, such invention being defined in the following claims. y

We claim:

1. A'suction cleaner, comprising suction pro ducing means and means for agitating the surface covering to be cleaned, driving means, said suction producing means being operatively connected to said driving means, power transmitting I means operatively connecting said driving means 2; A'suctio'n cleaner, comprising suction pro- I ducing means and means for agitating the surface covering to be cleaned, a driving shaft, said suction producing means .being operatively con- 1 nected to said driving shaft,

power transmitting means operatively connecting said driving shaft and said agitating means and including a power transmitting member mounted on saidshaft and a clutch comprising a driven member and a drivpower transmitting engagement with said driven ing membe said driving member being operable by overload upon said driven member to a posi-'\ her, said clutch being locatedin the drive between said suction p'roducing means and said agitating means, and means responsive to the speed of said driving shaft for holding said clutch members disengaged.

3. A suction cleaner, comprising suction producing means and means for agitatingv the surface covering to becleaned, a motor driving said suction producing means, means for transmit- ,ting power from said motor to said agitating means including a clutch located in the drive between said suction producing means and said agitating means, and comprising a driven memher and a rotary driving member having a part pivotally mounted thereon and movable from '-'member'upon overload on said driven member,

. driven and means for holding said part out of power transmitting engagement.

4., A suction cleaner, comprising suction producing means 'and means for agitating the surface covering to be cleaned, a motor, a member by said motor and operatively connecting said suction producing means to said motor; power transmitting means operatively connecting said member and 'saidagitating means independently of the connection of said motor to said a suction producing means and including a rotat--- ably driving shaft operatively con-1 nected to said motor and a driven member rotatably mounted on said shaft and operatively con- Y jection, a\centrifugally operable member nornected to said agitating means, said driven member having a shoulder thereon anti said driving member having thereon a movably mounted promally tending 'to hold said projection in shoulder engaging position and adaptedtohold said pro-,

jection out of shoulder engaging position when said projection has been disengaged from said 10 shoulder by overload upon said-driven member.

5 A suction cleaner, comprising suction producing means and means for agitating the surfacecovering to be cleaned, a motor, a member driven by said motor and operatively connecting said suction producingmeansj to said motor, pow-- er transmittingmeans operatively connectingsaid member and said agitatingmeans independently.-

of the connection of said motor to said suction producing means and includingv a rotatably mounted driving shaft operatively connected to said motor and a driven member rotatably mounted on, said-shaft and operatively connected to said agitating means, said driven member having a shoulder thereon and said driving member having thereon a movably mounted projection, a centrifugally operable member normally tending to hold said projection in shoulder engaging position and adapted-to hold said projection out of shoulder engaging position when'said projection has been disengaged from said shoulder by over,

load upon said driven member and means en-g closing said movably mounted projection and said a centrifugally operated member.

6. A suction cleaner, comprising suction pro- :5 ducing. means and means for agitating the surface covering to be cleaned, amotor operatively connected to said suction producing means, means for transmitting power from said motor to said agitating means and including a-clutch adapted 4o to be disengaged by overload upon said agitating means, the connection between the motor and said suction producing means being independent of said clutch, means'responsive to the speed of said motor adapted to hold said clutch disengaged,

and means adapted to reengage said clutch when the speed of said motor is reduced.

'7. A suction cleaner, comprising means for agitating the surface covering to be cleaned, a motorhaving a shaft, a suction producing member on said shaft, and power transmitting means op eratively connecting said shaft and said agitating means including a body member detachalaly secured to said shaft and securing said suction producing member thereto,- a pulley rotatably mounted on said body member, clutch parts for transmittingv drive from said body member to said pulley disengageable upon overload on said pulley, and means carried by said body member and surrounding a portion of said body member and a portion of said pulley and enclosing said clutch parts. a

8. A suction cleaner, comprising means for agitating the surface covering to be cleaned, a motor having a shaft, suction producing means op- 6/5 eratively connected to said shaft, and power transmitting means operatively connecting said motor shaft and said agitating means includingn driving and clutch assembly adapted to be assembledas a" unit upon said motor shaft,*the (.0 connection between said shaft and said suction producing means being effected by assembly of said clutch assembly on said shaft, said driving and clutch assemblyL-comm'ising a base member vided with a driving projection, said base memher having 'a' shaft portion, a-power transmitting member rotatably mounted upon said shalt portion and having a driven projection thereon adapted to be engaged by said driving projection,

"said driving projection being movably mounted member carried by said base member directly engaging said driving member for holding said driving projection out of the path of said driven projection;

9. --A suction cleaner, comprising suction producing means and means for agitating the surface covering to be cleaned, driving me'ans operatively connected to said suction producing means, power transmitting means operatively connecting said driving means and said agitating means, said power transmitting means including a driving, part and a driven part having disengageable members, one of said members being movably. mountedfor efiecting disengagement, and centrifu'gaily operated means for controlling the movement of said movably mounted member.

-10. A suction cleaner, comprising means for agitating the surface covering to be cleaned, a motor comprising-a driving shaft, a suction producing member on said shaft, and power transmitting means operatively connecting said motor shaft and said agitating means inclu h z F driv-. ing and clutch assembly adapted to be assembled as aunit upon said motor shait and to secure said suction producing member on said motor shaft, said driving and clutch assembly comprising parts disengageable by overload upon said agitating means.

11. A suction cleaner, comprising suction producing' means and means for agitating the suri'ace covering to be cleaned a motor having a shaft, 9, member detachably connected to said motor shaft and'operatively connecting said suction producing means to said motor shaft, powertransmitting means operatively connecting said member and said agitating means including a overload upon said power-transmittingmember,

and means controlled by rotative movement for holding said movable projection in disengaged position, said power-transmitting member and said controlling means being assembled as a unit with and supported by said member.

"HARRY B. WHITE.

BERNARD C. BECKER. 

